YVONNE CHAKA CHAKA - THANK YOU MR DJ FOR PLAYING MY SONGS

Yvonne Chaka Chaka was born in 1965 Dobsonville in Soweto. Yvonne Chaka Chaka grew up in a humble family. Her father passed away when she was 11. Her Mother became the sole provider and struggled to bring three daughters with the little income she made as a domestic worker.When asked who she admired most, Chaka Chaka said "My mother because she has always been there for me. My mother raised three daughters single-handedly on a domestic worker's salary. That took great courage and strength. She is my mentor and hero. When I was born in 1965 in Soweto, it was during apartheid, and those were extremely difficult times. My dad was a great musician who could never realize his dream. He died when I was 11 years old. I inherited my talent from both parents, so music has always been in my blood. When I was little I would strum an empty tin and blow into a broom stick pretending it was a microphone. I sang in church choirs. I loved singing. I am blessed that I achieved my destiny, and been able to accomplish what my father could not."

Yvonne became the first Black child to appear on South African television when in 1981 "Sugar Shack", a talent show, introduced her to the South African public.

Dubbed the "Princess of Africa", Yvonne Chaka Chaka has been at the forefront of South African popular music for 20 years. Some of her most famous songs include "I'm Burning Up", "I'm in Love With a DJ", "I Cry for Freedom", "Makoti", "Motherland" and the ever-popular "Umqombothi" ("African Beer"). Yvonne has won numerous awards and accolades and graced various magazines. She has shared the stage with megastars such as Bono, Youssou N'Dour , the classic rock band Queen, and South Africans Johnny Clegg, Miriam Makeba, and Hugh Masekela, to name a few. Yvonne has performed for HRM Queen Elizabeth, US President Bill Clinton, South African President Thabo Mbeki, and a host of other world leaders. As a young performer Yvonne was the first Black child to appear on South African television in 1981.

In 1989 she created her own company, Chaka Chaka Promotions. In 1995 she created her own music label, Chaka Chaka Music. Since then every album Yvonne has released has been on her own label. She has two diplomas from the University of South Africa, one in adult education, another in local government, management and administration. Her business ventures include companies in the Information Technology sector; Energy and Minerals sectors; Human Resource Development focused on adult training; and Sandown Motors, a luxury motor vehicle retailer . Yvonne's energy and enthusiasm is boundless. She has become a hero and mentor to others, a willing warrior and agent for change in enormous proportions. Considered a role model throughout the African continent, she has demonstrated compassion for others throughout her career.

Yvonne actively promotes the rights of women, and the protection of Children. She is a Trustee of Tomorrow Trust, which educated orphans and vulnerable children. Yvonne Chaka Chaka is also UNICEF's Goodwill Ambassador against malaria, and also Ambassador for Roll-Back Malaria (sponsored by the World Bank, United Nations, World Health Organization, and other institutions). She also founded and runs her own charity the Princess of Africa Foundation.

One of her favourite male mentor and father figure is Nelson Mandela. Mandela who fondly refers to Yvonne as his dear daughter once stated, “It is what we make of what we have, not what we are given, that separates one person from another. Yvonne, you are a testament to my belief. You have made all of South Africa proud to claim you as a national icon. You have motivated millions of women and men on our continent. Your generosity has benefited untold numbers of families and orphans facing the challenges of AIDS, terminal illness, abuse, poverty, and illiteracy. I know you will always make your indelible mark wherever you go, and with what ever you do. There is no stopping you! You will always be my Princess of Africa.”

Yvonne Chaka Chaka with husband and family

The men in her life

Yvonne Chaka Chaka with hubby Dr Mandlalele Mhinga

Her philosophy is, “When we are born we come with nothing. And when we die, we die with nothing. So every day I wake up and say, ‘God thank you for the life that you have given me. I take nothing for granted. I love living, I love life, and I live it to the fullest.'”

In Greek legend the goddess Clytemnestra said, “We are the instruments of Heaven. Our work is not design, but destiny.” African icon Yvonne Chaka Chaka is living her destiny, and those who understand her message are enriched by it.

8 comments:

She truly deserves the accolades, most of us were brought up listening to her pulsating beats,the likes of umqhombhoti,Thank you Mr D.J etc. she molded lives especially seeing that apartheid was rife, we just must say thanks

Felicitus ermelo(mpumalanga)sesi yvonne iwish to see you this wish its start when I was young but now I'm 27years I still have this wish to see u and talk 2 you,I will be happy if I can get a respond from u.

I remember meeting both Yvonne and her husband, who was my doctor, in an elevator downtown JHB.That 2 minutes in that elevator was the most cherished , and more than 23 yrs later, I still remember the conversation, and how she encouraged me to stay in school.Mama Afrika!Pauline EvansNorth Carolina. USA

Actually i have less to say but with all i do respect; its my pleasure to say that yvonne chaka chaka she's one of the favorite musician whom i loved the most especially my mother and me as well, her records has tremendous to my ears and heart everytime i listen i hear its soulfull, i mean they give me more taste of oldtime African music and thoughtful unforgettable reminesces in my life.I love you Chaka Chaka i really miss your musical sound and you will always be in my African musical memories.God Bless you and your family we love you yvone we miss you in game.Sadick MshanaTanzania,East Africa.

YVONNE I LOVED YOUR MUSIC AT MY YOUNGER AGE AND STILL NOW IS YOU MUSIC THAT CURE ANY DESEASE IN MY LIFE .U ARE BETTER THAT ANY MUSICIAN OF YOU TIME .I ALSO THANK SELLO THWALA,ATTIE VAN WYK WHOM I NAMED MY ONLY SON AFTER HIM.HERBERT XULU,I VAN WYK AND I SABELO FOR BEEN WITH U SUCH A LONG TIME IN YOU MUSIC.BUT I TREID TO CALL AND SMS U TO MAKE PLAN FOR THE CD OF BACK ON MY FEET AND WHO'S THE BOSS?BUT YOU NEVER COME BACK TO ME,I DONT WANT IT FREE AND I DONT WANT TO BUY IT ON A WRONG WAY.M.J MALUNGANEPHALABORWATEL 0782078155

YVONNE I LOVED YOUR MUSIC AT MY YOUNGER AGE AND STILL NOW IS YOU MUSIC THAT CURE ANY DESEASE IN MY LIFE .U ARE BETTER THAT ANY MUSICIAN OF YOU TIME .I ALSO THANK SELLO THWALA,ATTIE VAN WYK WHOM I NAMED MY ONLY SON AFTER HIM.HERBERT XULU,I VAN WYK AND I SABELO FOR BEEN WITH U SUCH A LONG TIME IN YOU MUSIC.BUT I TREID TO CALL AND SMS U TO MAKE PLAN FOR THE CD OF BACK ON MY FEET AND WHO'S THE BOSS?BUT YOU NEVER COME BACK TO ME,I DONT WANT IT FREE AND I DONT WANT TO BUY IT ON A WRONG WAY.M.J MALUNGANEPHALABORWATEL 0782078155

I love Yvonne Chaka Chaka so much i use to sing and go crazy about her songs when i was a child, me and my 4 sisters adore her,i remember we would sing Thank you Mr DJ over and over till we fell asleep out of exhaustion.She is a great person,who has worked hard to be where she is today, and her ability to share with people in need shows that she is truely a amazing woman after God's heart.I sing too even though not professionally yet, while i'm currently doing the little i can do it is my dream to one day release songs and make enough money to help the needy and help put things right,as i have been inspired by her in many ways.Thank you for being who you are its put a smile on the faces of many.God bless you.

ABOUT SAHARAN VIBE

Welcome! Karibuni! Isibingelelo! Kushe! Akwaba! to Saharan Vibe. The darkest thing about Africa has always been our ignorance of it. Saharan vibe will strive to be your source on all that is African bringing African news to a global audience. From Cairo to the Cape of Good Hope, Africa encompasses 53 nations, nearly a billion people and more than 800 distinct ethnic groups. From the arts, the culture, entertainment, politics join me on a safari as we explore a remarkable people and their distinctive way of life and in the celebration of African life.